pdf2cad  cannot convert paper scans to editable CAD files, but does a great job with PDF files created directly from the original CAD package (or from another vector graphics format).

• Drawing instructions for lines, shapes, fills and text
• Saved or printed directly from the original CAD/drawing package
• Details stay sharp and crisp when zoomed
• See example: vector.pdf

pdf2cad was developed to convert vector graphics drawing instructions from the PDF file format to the DXF file format - so that you can scale and edit individual objects in your favorite CAD/GIS package, or feed the design to your CNC environment.

Converting vector PDF files with pdf2cad

Within seconds, pdf2cad generates an accurate (2D) DXF reproduction of the original PDF drawing. Little or no cleanup will be required, depending on the line types that your PDF uses to represent the original CAD data. Even text strings, if still present in the PDF file, can be searched and edited in the DXF output. Embedded raster images are extracted to separate image files and placed by reference in the DXF output, so you can see them as part of the drawing. pdf2cad has a number of options to deal with hatches, fonts, dashed lines, scale etc.

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• A pixel-by-pixel painting of the drawing
• Created from scans, screenshots or bitmap images (e.g. TIFF, JPEG)
• Details become jagged or blurry when zoomed
• See example: raster.pdf

pdf2cad is not raster-to-vector software. Such programs do exist, but getting the optimal results typically requires lots of tweaking. And even those results are generally not very accurate, quality of the lines is severely degraded, and cleaning up the mess mostly requires more time than redrawing from scratch would take.

Converting raster PDF files with pdf2cad

pdf2cad extracts the image to a separate TIFF (for b&w) or JPEG (for color) file, and places that by reference in the DXF output. You can see the image when you open the DXF in e.g. AutoCAD, provided that you have the image file in the same folder as its DXF parent. You can then use the image as a background to trace over.

Raster-to-vector software and services

See Trix Systems at www.trixsystems.com, who also resell pdf2cad.

Tip!
To find out if your PDF drawing is raster or vector, open it in Acrobat Reader and set the zoom level to 800% or higher. If (curved) details become jagged or blurry, it's a raster image. If lines stay crisp and sharp, it's a beautiful vector file for pdf2cad!

Not sure what kind of PDF files you have?
Email one or two sample PDF files to testfile@pdf2cad.com for an expert opinion.